If you are looking to settle in the UK after your academic program and work here, you need to apply for a UK work permit or a post study work visa UK. In 2024, over 3L students have been granted a graduate visa to stay and work in the UK for a defined time period.
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The Post Study Work Visa UK (PSWV) is a temporary visa that acts as a golden opportunity for international students to study, work, and live by taking up a job in their area of interest after graduation.
PSW Visa UK Route is open to all international students, including Indian students who have immigration status in the United Kingdom.
In this article, we will look at the post study work visa UK, the new graduate route and go through further information on its eligibility and entry requirements.
What is Post Study Work Visa UK?
A post study work visa UK, also known as the Graduate Visa or Graduate Route Visa, allows you to stay and find work opportunities in the UK for at least 2 years after completing your bachelor’s or master's. The PhD graduates or doctoral students can stay for up to 3 years.
The Graduate Route is for international graduates who are enrolled at an institution that is approved by the United Kingdom Higher Education Provider.
Post Study Work Visa UK: Latest Updates 2025
The Graduate Immigration Route was recently launched by the UK government for international students on July 1, 2021. As it’s a new visa type, you should know all the changes that have been made to this visa before you apply.
Here are the latest updates regarding the PSW visa in 2024.
- Restriction on Switching Visas: From January 1, 2024, students cannot switch to most work visas (e.g., Skilled Worker visa) until they have finished their degree-level course, except for PhD and research programme students.
- Dependents Rights: Only postgraduate research students (e.g., PhD graduates) can bring dependents to the UK under the new rules starting January 1, 2024.
These changes reflect a shift towards stricter immigration control while still providing opportunities for international students to work in the UK after graduation.
How Long is a PSW Visa UK Valid for?
The PSW visa allows graduates to stay in the UK for:
- 2 years after completing an undergraduate degree or a Master's degree.
- 3 years after completing a PhD.
You can apply for a visa or permission to stay longer once you've secured employment.
Post Study Work Visa UK: Eligibility
The post study work visa UK allows graduates to gain valuable work experience and enhance their career prospects. To be eligible for a graduate visa in the UK, you must meet the following criteria:
- You must be in the UK at the time of application.
- You must currently hold a valid student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa.
- You must have studied a UK bachelor's degree, postgraduate degree, or other eligible course for a minimum period of time with your student visa.
- You must have completed your degree from a qualifying institution, which is a higher education provider approved by the UK Home Office.
- Your minimum time for studying in the UK must have been:
- At least 12 months, if your course lasted longer than 12 months.
- The entire duration of your course, if it's shorter than 12 months.
The eligibility also depends on the following factors:
- The course provider, i.e., the college or the university where the course was completed.
- The type of course you are studying.
- For how long does the individual study in the UK.
Also Read: Best Courses to Study In UK
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When to Start Applying for a PSW Visa UK?
You can apply for a post study work visa in the UK after your university or college has informed the Home Office of your final academic result. Generally, the bachelor’s degree result will be available around August, and the master’s degree result will be available around November or December.
Make sure you meet the following criteria:
- You must have completed a qualifying course at a recognised UK institution.
- You should be in the UK at the time of applying.
- You must apply before your current student visa or Tier 4 visa expires.
Post Study Work Visa UK: Application Process
The application process for a PSW visa UK is quite similar to the way you applied for a student visa. You’ll need to submit your application online through the UK government's official website. Your dependents (partners and children) can submit separate applications and pay applicable fees.
However, before applying, you must gather all important documents for a successful application.
Documents Required for PSW Visa UK
Below is a list of documents that you need to submit to make sure your visa process goes smoothly and efficiently.
- A valid passport or other travel document that confirms your identity and nationality
- Your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or eVisa (online proof of your immigration status), if you received one when you applied for your student visa.
- A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number when you applied for your student visa. Your education provider would’ve provided this number to you.
- If applicable, provide proof of relationship with dependents who are applying alongside you.
- If you received a scholarship or sponsorship that covered your course fees and living costs in the past 12 months, you may need a letter from your provider confirming this.
Note: You may need to provide biometric information (fingerprints and photo) at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) centre in case you’re unable to scan your BRP or passport with the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app.
The PSW Visa is issued after document confirmation to ensure that the country retains the brightest students from all over the globe and help them make a growing career in the country, as well as open opportunities for future breakthroughs in technology, science, research, and other similar work.
Post Study Work Visa Fees UK
The application for a graduate visa includes an application fee and a healthcare surcharge for each year you spend in the United Kingdom.
- Visa application fee: £822 (INR 88K) per applicant. This fee is applicable whether you are applying for a two-year or three-year visa.
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £1,035 (INR 1.1L) per year. This surcharge allows you to access the National Health Service (NHS) while in the UK. The total IHS will depend on the length of your visa:
- For a 2-year visa: £2,070 (INR 2.2L)
- For a 3-year visa: £3,105 (INR 3.3L)
Total Costs (Application fee + IHS).
- 2-year visa: £2,892 (INR 3.1L)
- 3 -year visa: £3,927(INR 4.2L)
PSW Visa UK Processing Time
You can expect to receive a decision on your graduate visa application within 8 weeks. The applicants are advised to stay in the UK during this period, as they cannot travel abroad until a decision is made on their application.
However, if the processing time of your application extends beyond 8 weeks, you will be notified by email. Some of the possible reasons for delay in the application process can be:
- Supporting documents require further verification.
- Additional information or clarification is needed regarding personal circumstances.
- There is an increase in visa demand or other operational delays.
What Happens Next After Applying for PSW Visa UK?
After you’ve applied for a PSW visa, you will receive an email within eight weeks of your application with details on the status of your application and what needs to be done next.
In case, you want to cancel your application for a graduate visa in the UK, then you can only get a refund of your application fee if the UKVI has not started processing your application.
Do’s & Don’t With a Graduate Visa
With a Graduate Visa, you can:
- Look for work
- Be self-employed
- Do voluntary work
- Travel abroad and return to the UK
The things you cannot do are:
- Apply for state pension or other public benefits such as public funds
- Work as a professional sportsperson
The graduate visa is not extendable, i.e., the students will not be eligible to apply for the route more than once in their lifetime.
Benefits of Post Study Work Visa UK
The UK is a leading choice for Indian students seeking international education, especially with the availability of the Graduate visa. This visa offers a post-study work option that does not require sponsorship, making it a convenient pathway for students.
The benefits of post study work visa UK are as follows:
- Extended Stay: Graduates can stay in the UK for up to 2 years after completing their degree, or 3 years for PhD holders. This allows ample time to seek employment and gain work experience.
- No Sponsorship Required: Unlike many other visa types, this route does not require a job offer or employer sponsorship, giving graduates the freedom to explore various job opportunities without immediate pressure.
- Work in Any Sector: You can work in any job at any skill level, which means you can pursue roles that align with your career goals or even try out different fields.
- Dependent Work Rights: Dependents of international students can also apply for work rights, allowing partners and children to work in the UK during this period.
- Pathway to Permanent Residency: The experience gained during this time can help graduates qualify for other visa types, potentially leading to permanent residency in the UK
How Can You Work After Bachelor's and Master’s?
Completing your degree in the UK is a significant achievement. Whether you’ve just earned your bachelor’s or master’s degree, the UK offers many pathways or visa options that let you gain international work experience, build your career, and stay in the UK after graduation.
There are different types of post study work visa options available to work in the UK after completing your studies, which are:
- Skilled Worker Visa: This visa allows international students to stay in the UK after graduation if they have a job offer from a licensed sponsor employer, meeting salary and skill level requirements. It can be granted for up to 5 years, after which you can apply for permanent residency.
- Global Talent Visa: Designed for high-achieving students in academia, research, arts, or technology, this visa does not require a job offer and allows you to stay and work in the UK for 5 years.
- Start-Up Visa: This optional route is for international graduates looking to set up a viable and innovative business in the UK, fostering entrepreneurial skills.
Under the graduate route of post study work visa UK, the applicants can take up extra study, but they are not allowed to study with a student sponsor, and they can not study at a State school.
If you are looking to pursue studies in the UK, LeapScholar can help you provide career advice, identify the best universities for your course and guide you through the process.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Q. Does the UK give a post-study work visa?
Ans. Yes, the UK offers a post-study work visa, known as the Graduate Route, which allows international students to stay in the UK for 2 years after completing an eligible course at a higher education institution in the UK. This visa is designed to help graduates gain work experience and contribute to the UK economy.
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Q. What is the new rule for post-study work visa in the UK?
Ans. The new rule for the UK’s post-study work visa, the Graduate Route, allows international students to stay and work in the UK for 2 years after completing a degree-level course or higher. PhD graduates are granted 3 years. The rule was introduced in July 2021 to attract international talent to the UK.
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Q. What happens after a 2-year post-study work visa in the UK?
Ans. After the 2-year post-study work visa ends, you must switch to a different visa type if you wish to continue working in the UK. You may apply for a skilled worker visa, provided you have a job offer from a UK employer meeting the salary and skill requirements.
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Q. Who is eligible for PSW in the UK?
Ans. To be eligible for the Post-Study Work Visa (Graduate Route), you must have completed a degree-level course or higher at a recognised UK institution. Your course must be completed in the UK, and you must have a valid Tier 4 or Student Visa at the time of application.
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Q. Is it easy to get PR in the UK?
Ans. Getting permanent residency (PR) in the UK is a lengthy process and can be challenging. Typically, you need to hold a work visa like the Skilled Worker visa for a minimum of 5 years, meet salary requirements, and prove your English proficiency before you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
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Q. Can I get PR in the UK after PSW?
Ans. You cannot directly apply for PR in the UK after the Post-Study Work Visa (PSW). However, the work experience you gain during your PSW can help you transition to a work visa (like the Skilled Worker visa), which may eventually lead to eligibility for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
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Q. How many years for PR in the UK?
Ans. Typically, you can apply for permanent residency (PR) in the UK after living and working in the country for 5 years under a work visa such as the Skilled Worker visa. Some people may be eligible for PR after 10 years under a long residence route, depending on their situation.
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Q. What all courses make me eligible for a Graduate Visa UK?
Ans. To be eligible for the UK Graduate Visa, you must complete any of the following courses:
-Bachelor’s degree
-Master’s degree
-PhD or doctorate
-Law conversion course approved by the Solicitors Regulation Authority
-Legal Practice Course in England and Wales, the Solicitors Course in -Northern Ireland, or a Diploma in Professional Legal Practice in Scotland
-Bar Practice Course in England and Wales or the Bar Course in Northern Ireland
-Foundation programme in medicine or dentistry
-Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)
-Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) -
Q. What are the benefits of PSW in the UK?
Ans. The benefit of the Post-Study Work (PSW) visa in the UK is that it allows international graduates to stay in the UK for 2 years (3 years for PhD graduates) to work at any skill level. It offers an opportunity to gain professional experience and build a career in the UK, which can also help in securing longer-term visas.
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Q. What all can I do professionally with the UK post-study work visa?
Ans. With the UK Post-Study Work visa, you can work at any skill level and in any field for up to 2 years. This includes full-time jobs, part-time roles, freelancing, or starting your own business. It gives graduates the flexibility to explore different career options in the UK.
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Q. What is the cost of applying for a PSW Visa UK (Graduate Route Visa UK)?
Ans. The cost of applying for the UK Graduate Visa (PSW) is £822(INR 88K), plus the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), which is usually £1,035(INR 1.1L) per year. The exact IHS fee varies based on your course length and the number of years you plan to stay in the UK.
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